Props mixed; Brown, Boxer win in Calif.

November 3, 2010 12:00:00 AM PDT

LOS ANGELES --

Four of the nine California propositions passed, and Democrats Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer won their races.In the race for California governor, Democratic Attorney General Jerry Brown won over Republican challenger Meg Whitman Tuesday night.

It's Brown's third term as California governor. He left the governorship 28 years ago. He was elected the youngest governor in California history in 1974. When he assumes office on Jan. 3, 2011, he will be the oldest governor in California history.

"Congratulations to Attorney General Jerry Brown on his hard-fought campaign and his victory tonight. Jerry has demonstrated his commitment to the people of California throughout a lifetime of public service as Governor, Mayor of Oakland and Attorney General, and I pledge to work with his incoming administration to provide the most efficient and smooth transition of power possible for the people of California."

Whitman Campaign Chairman and former California Governor Pete Wilson made a statement Tuesday at 10 p.m. declaring it was too early to call the race. "Be patient. It's going to be a longer night than I expected," Wilson told the Whitman crowd gathered in Universal City, Los Angeles. However, an hour later, Whitman gave a concession speech, saying she called Brown to wish him well.

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer won a 4th term, beating Republican candidate Carly Fiorina. According to the early exit polls, Boxer was ahead with a comfortable margin, but as votes were counted, her lead narrowed substantially, and Fiorina decided she was not going to concede just yet.

Democratic mayor of San Francisco Gavin Newsom won in the race for lieutenant governor of California against Republican incumbent Abel Maldonado Tuesday night. Newsom issued a speech declaring victory early Wednesday morning.

"Abel Maldonado took the helm of the Lieutenant Governor's Office during a brief and challenging time. He is to be thanked for his service," said Newsom in the statement. "As your next Lieutenant Governor, I will spare no effort and waste no time. I am ready to hit the ground running. I am prepared to be Lieutenant Governor for every Californian -- helping to steer our state through its toughest storms."

A day after the polls closed, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris is still locked in a down-to-the-wire race for state attorney general with Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Harris is ahead of Cooley by fewer than 15,000 votes. However, it may take weeks to determine the winner because tens of thousands of provisional and late absentee ballots remain to be counted.

Cooley had a comfortable lead in early returns Tuesday night, and, although a winner had not been declared, gave an acceptance speech at the Beverly Hilton at about 11:30 p.m.

However, Harris chipped away at the margin and overtook him early Wednesday morning. Cooley canceled a previously announced news conference scheduled for Wednesday morning, citing "the uncertain nature of the final result."

In the race for California secretary of state, Democratic candidate Debra Bowen was re-elected to office, defeating Republican Damon Dunn.

Proposition 19, the ballot measure that would legalize, regulate and tax recreational marijuana across the state, was losing. The Associated Press called Proposition 19 defeated at 9:45 p.m Tuesday.

Proposition 20, the measure that would authorize a bipartisan commission to determine congressional district lines, was approved Tuesday night.

Proposition 21, the vehicle surcharge revenue measure that would add a surcharge to vehicle registration to raise money for state parks and wildlife programs. Prop. 21 was rejected.

Proposition 22 would prohibit legislators from taking or borrowing money slated for transportation projects for other purposes, even during times of severe fiscal hardship. Prop. 22 passed.

Proposition 23 would have suspended California's greenhouse-gas-emissions law, the 2006 Global Warming Solutions Act, until unemployment in the state came down to 5.5 percent or less for a full year. Prop. 23 was rejected Tuesday night.

Proposition 24 would have allowed the repeal of recent legislation allowing businesses to lower their tax liability. Prop. 24 was rejected.

Proposition 25 would change the current legislative vote requirement to pass a state budget (and budget-related legislation) to a simple majority. A two-thirds vote majority is currently required to pass budgets. Prop. 25 was approved.

Proposition 26 would require a two-thirds vote to pass certain state and local fees. It effectively would redefine taxes to include payments currently considered "fees" or "charges." Prop. 26 was approved.

Proposition 27 is a counterpoint to Prop. 20. Prop. 27 would eliminate the redistricting commission created by Prop. 20. Establishing congressional district boundaries would remain under the control of elected officials who currently draw the districts. If Prop. 27 and Prop. 20 both pass, the proposition receiving the most "yes" votes would be the one of the two to go into effect. The Associated Press reported Prop. 27 was rejected.